Jewish groups step up security amid terror threat

Jewish Agency official in Tblisi says the organization was on high security alert before attempted attack.

By GIL STERN STERN SHEFLER
Indian police inspect bombed car in New Delhi 390 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Parivartan Sharma)
Indian police inspect bombed car in New Delhi 390 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Parivartan Sharma)
Jewish organizations on Tuesday stepped up their security around the world after two attacks were carried out against Israeli targets in India and Georgia the day before.
An official for a large Jewish group, who asked to speak on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said they had instructed their staff to take precautionary measures.
“The danger is real and we have to be very careful,” said the official. “The safety of our representatives is Paramount. At the same time we won’t be deterred or run away to anyplace.”
Avi Ofir, a Jewish Agency for Israel official in Tblisi – the Georgian capital where a bomb was defused near the Israeli embassy on Monday – said they were already on high alert before the attempted attack.
“I can’t talk specifics, but in general we got instructions before it occurred because of the anniversary,” he said, referring to the anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugnihyah, who died in a bomb blast in Damascus in 2008. Hezbollah claims Israel was behind the attack and vowed revenge.
Ofir said his family in Israel was slightly worried about the situation, but that he calmed them down.
“When they hear about it in the media it sounds bad,” he said.
Ofir said he would was under orders to remain vigilant, but that most of the Jewish community’s activities were being carried out as usual.
“Life goes on,” he said.